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  • From: Barking Cat Farm <barkingcatfarm AT mindspring.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Weed control advice?
  • Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:28:49 -0600

Hi Richard,

We have heavy weed pressure at our farm, too. Many different varieties, too
numerous to mention, Johnson grass and spotted spurge being examples.
Unfortunately, I don't have any great answers for you either, just a couple
of small points.

The tree trimmers contracted by the local electricity coop to clear utility
lines has been bringing us their mulch as often as the rains allow. Of the
many ways we've made use of it, one of the more labor intensive was to
heavily landscape cloth the 450' of frontage fenceline and then heavily mulch
on top of that. Turns out the weed seeds blow into and then take root in the
mulch. Lesson learned. The Johnson grass really loves the loose nature of
the mulch apparently, as it grows to phenomenal heights out of the mulch,
something quite spectacular to behold. Tried 20% vinegar and don't like that
it kills everything good and bad. So still looking for a solution.

One other thought if you have the market for it and the manpower resources to
harvest it when young…some chefs and regular people like lambs quarters to
eat, cooked and/or in salad. Example:
<http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/lambs%20quarters.htm> .

Just a couple thoughts. I will wait with bated breath for other more
constructive contributions to help with weed control. Lord knows we need
some help with our weeds.

Laurie
Barking Cat Farm
Texas zone 8/7 where the 6-month rainy streak continues as I type


On Jan 30, 2010, at 11:58 AMJan/30/10, Richard Moyer wrote:

> Beginning our second year of farming as our primary income. Thanks to this
> list, bought and read Wiswall's "Organic Farmer's Business Handbook".
> Agree with him on two major points, that weed control is a major time (and
> inertia) sink, and that we need to focus on crops with highest return. So
> more greens, tomatoes, root and cole crops.
>
> Our geography limits many of our rows to 50-100 feet; turning a cultivating
> tractor would shorten these rows. So would prefer hand-powered or
> hand-driven methods of weed control.
>
> Used an Earthway wheeled hoe (oak handles) last year, adding this year a
> Glaser or Valley Oak for other family members.
>
> Recently took delivery of a large dump truck load of shredded leaves, for
> mulching tomatoes and other upright crops.
>
> Our problem:
> Our farm came with a weed seed bank of gallansoga, pigweed and lambs
> quarters; and we didn't keep up with them in certain plots last year.
> Am considering stale seed beds and/or heavy leaf mulch to control these
> weeds. Have no experience with stale seed beds. Am considering a flame
> weeder, but never have used one. Enjoy doing shallow cultivation with the
> wheeled hoe.
>
> Advice on flame weeders and other methods for the weeds above appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Moyer
> Castlewood, SW VA
> Out to tap our maple trees
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> Market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
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>





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